They may sound extra like an electrical carving knife than a critical piece of timber-felling tools, however don’t be fooled… Battery powered chainsaws imply enterprise.

In truth, such has been the advance in efficiency over latest years that the gutsiest fashions promise energy and chain speeds to rival 50cc petrol saws – a typical dimension discovered on farms.

Added to that, advances in battery expertise imply operators ought to have the ability to get first rate run instances to a cost.

See additionally: High suggestions for chainsaw chain and information bar upkeep

Advantages over their screaming two-stroke cousins embrace quieter working, considerably decrease upkeep, and no extra tedious gasoline mixing. It sounds tempting, however can they actually be that good?

To search out out, we assembled 5 of the most recent top-spec fashions and pitted them towards Stihl’s MS261 C-M petrol – a well-liked pro-spec 50cc noticed that may be fitted with information bars from 14-18in.

Our contenders got here within the type of Stihl’s new MSA300 (the cordless equal of the MS261), Husqvarna’s 540iXP, the 40V MAX XGT from Makita, Ego’s Energy Plus CS1610E and the 82CS34 from Swedish model Cramer.

All have adequate firepower to run a 40cm (16in) information bar – our alternative for this take a look at – and so they’re IPX4 rated to allow them to be utilized in all weathers.

To evaluate how a lot slicing time every provides, we requested producers to ship their largest slot-in battery packs.

We steered away from cumbersome backpack items as these are costly and primarily geared toward skilled landscaping corporations and tree surgeons that use their instruments day-in, day-out.

How we examined them

After assembling a pile of uniform timber, we subjected every noticed to a sequence of energy and working time assessments.

These included timed down/up cookie cuts (taking skinny discs of timber) in a 30cm-diameter ash trunk, earlier than timing how a lot slicing we may get out of a battery pack.

This wasn’t scientific however provides a tough concept of how a lot work you will get out of one among these saws when pushing it exhausting.

We additionally timed the batteries charging, to point out how lengthy that you must twiddle your thumbs earlier than getting again to work.

Stihl MSA300

Greatest for: Chopping velocity and run time

Launched final 12 months, the MSA300 is the primary cordless chainsaw from Stihl geared toward skilled customers, which means it has the identical Gentle 04 information bar as its petrol equal and barely outguns it on chain velocity.

It’s suitable with Stihl’s vary of AP batteries, so patrons who already personal a few of these can get it up and working.

Nevertheless, unleashing the highest chain velocity requires one of many newest AP500S packs with laminated cells.

These supply the next vitality density and longer lifespan of two,400 charging cycles – about 10 years when you cost it as soon as for each working day of the 12 months.

True to its declare, this noticed gave blistering efficiency within the highest of its three chain speeds and was the one mannequin to outpace our petrol benchmark.

You don’t get one thing for nothing although, and we solely managed 22 cuts on the quickest 30m/sec setting earlier than the battery was drained.

Dropping right down to the mid 24m/sec setting gave much better run time, with solely a slightly slower slicing velocity.

We additionally tried out the slower 20m/sec “eco” mode, which is ok for mild work resembling snedding (stripping off small branches), however lacked the ability to comfortably carry out bigger cuts.

We used the noticed within the 24m/sec setting more often than not and it was a very good match for the petrol MS261.

Nevertheless, its 1kg weight penalty was noticeable and, despite the fact that the battery life was good, we’d have wanted a pile of them to maintain tempo over a sustained interval.

The batteries additionally obtained sizzling once we had been pushing the noticed on, so we wanted to attend for them to chill earlier than they could possibly be recharged.

After we did slot them on the charger, they had been a few of the quickest to replenish.

Ego Energy Plus CS1610E

Greatest for: Run time on a decrease funds

Ego is a comparatively new identify within the cordless instrument world, nevertheless it has been increasing quickly and has a ruck of domestic-grade tools on supply, in addition to a rising presence within the skilled sector.

The CS1610E is the highest noticed within the consumer-level Energy Plus vary, with a series velocity of 20m/sec and a 40cm bar.

The agency additionally provides a dearer pro-spec model with a number of further options and barely longer information bar, however the chain velocity is identical.

Our take a look at noticed got here with one of many largest 56V slot-in battery packs, with a capability of seven.5Ah. This makes use of Ego’s arc cell-packaging method, which is designed to stop the battery overheating when it’s labored exhausting.

As you’d count on, the noticed had a extra hobbyist really feel than the most costly fashions in our take a look at, with a plastic tool-free sprocket cowl and chain tensioner.

Nevertheless, the construct high quality was good, and we reckon it could be a superb alternative for the occasional person who doesn’t plan on giving it an excessive amount of abuse.

Unsurprisingly, having the slowest chain velocity within the take a look at meant the Ego took the longest to carry out a reduce.

However it not often slowed down and it gave the second-longest run time to the Stihl. The battery indicator mild wasn’t essentially the most constant, although, with the lights leaping round between cuts.

The noticed itself may be picked up comparatively cheaply, however the battery is pricey and fairly cumbersome.

Cramer 82CS34

Greatest for: Energy on a decrease funds

Cramer is a brand new participant within the cordless energy instrument market, sweeping in with a spread of high-powered tools working on punchy 82V battery packs.

The model is predicated in Sweden, however is owned by Chinese language outfit Globe Group, which already has a shopper vary of Greenworks merchandise.

There are many similarities between the choices from these two manufacturers, however the Cramer equipment is constructed for skilled operators.

Occupying the highest slot within the chainsaw vary is the 82CS34, which comes with a strong brushless motor and 38cm (15in) bar that may run at a speedy 25m/sec.

On paper, this put it second solely to Stihl’s MSA300, which translated neatly to the second-fastest slicing instances in our assessments – about the identical because the Stihl on its mid-chain velocity and only a shade slower than the petrol benchmark.

Its big brick-like powerpack additionally gave it run instances to rival some far much less highly effective saws, which means we may get first rate output from it.

And we preferred the clear battery life indicator that reveals the remaining cost as a share.

The draw back is that the cumbersome battery stands proud nicely above the highest of the noticed, making it an ungainly beast to swing round, and it was the heaviest within the take a look at by some margin.

Whereas we’re selecting issues out, it didn’t run fairly as easily because the Stihl or Husqvarna both.

For many who need first rate energy and run time with out having to shell out high greenback for a Stihl, it appears to be an inexpensive contender.

Husqvarna 540iXP

Greatest for: Lightness and dealing with  

Husqvarna and Stihl are the 2 stalwarts of the chainsaw recreation, locked in a unending battle to develop one of the best merchandise.

By way of energy, Stihl presently has the higher hand, however Husqvarna’s top-spec 540iXP stands out for its lightness and simple dealing with.

At simply 5.9kg with a 9.4Ah battery fitted, the noticed was comfy to make use of for lengthy durations and, as a result of it wasn’t overly highly effective, provided an inexpensive quantity of slicing time to a cost.

The neat horizontal battery port additionally meant it was the one one which didn’t gather sawdust.

When working in smaller timber, the quick 24m/sec chain velocity gave first rate slicing capacity, but when we pushed it too exhausting in large-diameter hardwood it may get slowed down.

Because of this, it’s most likely greatest reserved for lighter duties with a 14in bar put in, which might make it even lighter and simpler to deal with.

At full tilt, the motor is sort of loud, however this isn’t an issue for many who are being good and carrying their ear defenders.

The palm security catch additionally takes some getting used to, because it requires a little bit of ahead motion of the hand to get it to launch.

Since we carried out the take a look at, the 540iXP has obtained an replace that now sees it include a heated deal with and a digital oil-level indicator.

Makita 40V Max XGT

Greatest for: Worth for cash

For years, Makita ran all its instruments off 18V battery packs, arising with a intelligent ruse to run the gutsiest fashions with two batteries wired collectively in sequence to provide a 36V output.

These instruments nonetheless exist however, to harness some further firepower, the agency has launched a separate 40V Max XGT system that runs alongside.

One of many instruments benefiting from this energy supply is the UC016GT201 chainsaw. Just like the saws from Ego and Cramer, it comes with a 40cm (16in) bar and chain from Oregon that spins at a decent 25.5m/sec.

This gave it the third-fastest slicing time, beating each the Husqvarna and Ego.

Its 5Ah battery pack didn’t have the endurance, although, and, aside from the Stihl on its quickest velocity setting, it was the primary to expire of juice.

Nevertheless, it did redeem itself with the quickest recharging time.

Different good factors had been its mild weight and good steadiness that made it a straightforward noticed to deal with.

It is usually sensibly priced, making it a useful choice to run alongside a petroleum mannequin for smaller jobs.

Construct high quality was first rate, nevertheless it had a extra home really feel than its dearer rivals.

We additionally weren’t overly enamoured by the tool-free sprocket cowl and rotary chain tensioner, each of which we discovered awkward to make use of. Plus, the big battery slot tended to replenish with sawdust.